UK newspaper The Independent has
named San Francisco, California the best gay city in the world and
Saudi Arabia the least gay-tolerant country.
Topping the list of most desirable
places for gays and lesbians to live is San Francisco, California.
The newspaper said it was chosen because of the city's long history
of gay and lesbian inclusion and the State's recent adoption of gay
marriage.
Sydney, Australia landed second best as
the gay friendliest, despite only having legalized homosexuality
since 1984. Australia does not recognize gay marriage, but the
newspaper said the city offered a high degree of visibility for gays
and lesbians.
Rounding the top three picks is another
American city, New York. The newspaper says, “It's a place where
lesbians and gay men of all ages and races are so integrated into
work and political culture that their sexuality is often the least
significant thing about them.” While gay marriage is illegal in
the Empire State, legal marriages performed elsewhere –
Massachusetts, California or Canada, to name a few – are
recognized.
The remaining top ten cities in the
world to be gay in:
_Mykonos, Greece. The island attracts
hordes of gay tourists.
_Paris, France. Lesbians thrive in the
City of Lights.
_Barcelona, Spain. Gay marriage was
legalized in Spain in 2005.
_Amsterdam, Netherlands. The first
country in the world to recognize gay marriage in 2001.
_London, Great Britain. The Brits
offer gay civil unions and adoptions.
_Copenhagen, Denmark. The host city of
the 2009 World Outgames.
_Berlin, Germany. A gay mayor, and
Europe's first exclusively gay senior living home.
And now for the bad news. The worst
countries in the world for gays and lesbians:
_Saudi Arabia. Homosexuality is
illegal and punishable by death.
_Iran. Also illegal, and also
punishable by death.
_Jamaica. Being gay (not lesbian) is
illegal and punishable by ten years hard labor.
_Afghanistan. A Taliban death penalty
is no longer “officially” enforced – but don't push it.
_Nigeria. Any mention of homosexuality
is illegal. Even talking to a gay guy is an offense.
On the net: The Independent is
at www.independent.co.uk